Envenimation par une méduse d'eau douce (Craspedacusta sowerbii) en France métropolitaine

Marine envenomations are well known. Freshwater jellyfish, the basic form of swimming medusae, are not as popular as seawater ones. Craspedacusta sowerbii is the only freshwater species in Europe and the only species with a worldwide distribution. We describe the first case report of cutaneous envenomation by the freshwater jellyfish Craspedacusta sowerbii in a French lake, with a favorable evolution. Among other things, water temperature increasing as well as nutrient enrichment of aquatic environment, are favorable for development of the medusae form of Craspedacusta sowerbii. It is suspected that envenomation cases may increase to the future. Several parameters may affect envenomation severity: the cnidocyst, the venom components, affected victim body surface area, initial patient state, contact time, discharged cnidocysts number. These factors can lead to a wide variety of symptoms. No study has been reported about the Craspedacusta sowerbii venom components. Additional studies are warranted to propose effective therapeutics.